Navratri 2026 Day by Day: 9 Nights, 9 Songs (with Goddess and Colour)

Quick answer: Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 11 October to Monday, 19 October, with Dussehra on Tuesday, 20 October. Each night honours one of the nine forms of Maa Durga. The aarti sung most widely on every night of Navratri is Jai Ambe Gauri. Below, our teachers suggest nine Navratri songs, one for each night, an aarti, bhajan or garba favourite, so your family can make every evening musical.

Navratri songs 2026 at a glance: date, goddess and colour

Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. The colour sequence is the most commonly published one for 2026 and varies slightly by region.

When are Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in 2026? Because the Ashtami and Navami tithis both fall on 19 October this year, many North Indian calendars observe both on that day. Some calendars mark Ashtami on 18 October, and Bengal observes Maha Navami on 20 October. Please confirm puja timings with your local panchang or temple.

9 Navratri songs for 9 nights: what to sing each night

Each night below gives you the date, the goddess and colour of the day, and one of our nine Navratri songs, chosen by our teachers to suit her mood, from calm chants to high energy garba.

Night 1, Sunday 11 October: Maa Shailputri, Orange

Song for the night: Jai Ambe Gauri
Day 1 begins with Ghatasthapana, and the first aarti of Navratri is sung right after the kalash is installed. Jai Ambe Gauri is the natural opener, the most widely sung Durga aarti, and it sets a joyful tone for all nine nights. Shailputri, the daughter of the mountain, represents a strong foundation, and orange stands for energy.
Why we picked it: its simple, repeating melody lets the whole family, including young children, join in from the very first night.

Night 2, Monday 12 October: Maa Brahmacharini, White

Song for the night: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu
Brahmacharini is the goddess of devotion and self-discipline, and her day calls for something calm. This verse from the Devi Mahatmya is chanted slowly and suits a quiet evening puja. White stands for peace.
Why we picked it: a gentle chant is a perfect contrast to the energy of garba nights, and its steady rhythm sounds beautiful with soft guitar.

Night 3, Tuesday 13 October: Maa Chandraghanta, Red

Song for the night: Jay Adhya Shakti
Chandraghanta, whose name refers to the bell shaped moon on her forehead, is the goddess of courage. Jay Adhya Shakti is the traditional aarti of Gujarati households, often sung before garba begins. Red stands for power.
Why we picked it: it connects the puja to the garba circle, and the bells rung during aarti carry extra meaning on Chandraghanta's day.

Night 4, Wednesday 14 October: Maa Kushmanda, Royal Blue

Song for the night: Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje
By the fourth night, garba and dandiya nights are in full swing in community halls from Leicester to New Jersey, and this Bollywood garba classic from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is a fixture at almost every one. Kushmanda is believed to have created the universe with her smile, and royal blue stands for richness.
Why we picked it: everyone recognises it from the first beat, which makes it a family favourite for a home garba.

Night 5, Thursday 15 October: Maa Skandamata, Yellow

Song for the night: Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai
Skandamata is the mother of Lord Skanda and represents a mother's love. This much loved Mata bhajan about answering the goddess's call is sung at jagrans and family gatherings across North India. Yellow stands for happiness.
Why we picked it: it is a singalong bhajan that grandparents and grandchildren both know, ideal for a family evening.

Night 6, Friday 16 October: Maa Katyayani, Green

Song for the night: Nagada Sang Dhol
Katyayani is the warrior form of Durga who defeated Mahishasura, so her night calls for energy. This powerful garba number from Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela matches her strength. Green stands for growth.
Why we picked it: its driving dhol rhythm translates brilliantly to guitar strumming and makes it a showstopper at any garba night.

Night 7, Saturday 17 October: Maa Kalaratri, Grey

Song for the night: Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kaali
Kalaratri is the fiercest form of Durga, who destroys darkness and fear. This powerful aarti to the goddess in her fierce form is sung in many homes alongside Jai Ambe Gauri. Grey stands for balance.
Why we picked it: its bold, rising melody fits Kalaratri's night, and it is one of the most loved Mata aartis among diaspora families.

Night 8, Sunday 18 October: Maa Mahagauri, Purple

Song for the night: Sarva Mangala Mangalye
Mahagauri is the calm, radiant form of the goddess. On Ashtami, aarti is sung before Kanya Puja, when young girls are honoured as forms of the goddess, and this short Sanskrit verse is often chanted to close the puja. Purple stands for grace.
Why we picked it: it is short enough for children to learn by heart in one evening and lead themselves.

Night 9, Monday 19 October: Maa Siddhidatri, Peacock Green

Song for the night: Navadurga Stotra
Siddhidatri is the giver of wisdom, seated on a lotus. The Navadurga Stotra names all nine forms of Durga in order, a fitting way to close Navratri by remembering every night. Peacock green stands for compassion.
Why we picked it: it ties all nine nights together, a meaningful finale before Dussehra the next day.

Jai Ambe Gauri aarti lyrics in Hindi and English

Words vary slightly between families and regions. This is the most commonly sung version of the best known of all Navratri songs, traditionally attributed to Shivanand Swami, whose name appears in the final verse.

What does Jai Ambe Gauri mean? The aarti praises Maa Durga as mother of the world, worshipped day and night by Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. It describes her radiant form and her lion, celebrates her victories over Shumbh, Nishumbh and Mahishasura, and ends with the promise that whoever sings it with devotion receives happiness and prosperity.

Which aarti is sung during Navratri?

You can learn all these Navratri songs on guitar

Every one of these Navratri songs, the aartis, bhajans, chants and garba favourites, can be played on guitar. Imagine your child leading Jai Ambe Gauri at next year's family puja, or you strumming Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje at your community garba night.

At Musician Teacher, our team of teachers from India teaches Navratri songs, devotional and Bollywood music on guitar, live and one to one, in Hindi or English, at times that suit families in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

Start here: learn Navratri songs

Keeping Navratri songs alive at home, abroad

For families living outside India, music is often the heart of Navratri at home. It is the one tradition you can keep every evening, even when the nearest temple or garba night is miles away. Learning these Navratri songs together is also one of the easiest ways for children to stay connected to Hindi and Indian culture. You can read more about the festival itself on Wikipedia, and in our guide to online guitar lessons for kids living abroad.

Frequently asked questions

When does Navratri 2026 start and end?

Sharad Navratri 2026 starts on Sunday, 11 October and ends on Monday, 19 October. Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, follows on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.

What are the Navratri 2026 colours day by day?

The commonly published Navratri 2026 colours are: Day 1 orange, Day 2 white, Day 3 red, Day 4 royal blue, Day 5 yellow, Day 6 green, Day 7 grey, Day 8 purple and Day 9 peacock green.

Which goddess is worshipped on each day of Navratri?

In order, the nine forms of Durga, together called Navadurga, are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri.

What are the most popular Navratri songs?

The most popular Navratri songs include aartis like Jai Ambe Gauri and Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kaali, bhajans like Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai, Sanskrit chants like Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu, and garba songs, both traditional Gujarati folk garbas and Bollywood hits like Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje and Nagada Sang Dhol.

Which aarti is sung during Navratri?

Jai Ambe Gauri is the most widely sung Navratri aarti. Other popular aartis include Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kaali, the Gujarati Jay Adhya Shakti and the Marathi Durge Durghat Bhari.

When are Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami in 2026?

In 2026 the Ashtami and Navami tithis both fall on 19 October, so many North Indian calendars observe both that day. Some calendars mark Ashtami on 18 October, and Bengal observes Maha Navami on 20 October.

Where can I download the Navratri aarti lyrics PDF?

You can download Musician Teacher's free Navratri Aarti and Mantra Songbook from this page. It includes Jai Ambe Gauri in Hindi and English, the Navadurga Stotra, key Navratri mantras and the 2026 calendar.

Can I learn Navratri songs on guitar?

Yes. Navratri songs, from aartis and bhajans to garba songs, can all be played on guitar. Musician Teacher offers live online guitar lessons in Hindi and English for children aged 8 and above and for adults, with teachers from India. Book a free trial to start.

Written by the teaching team at Musician Teacher, an online academy teaching Navratri songs, devotional, garba and Bollywood music on guitar to Indian families in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Navratri dates and colours checked against published 2026 calendars; please confirm puja timings with your local panchang.

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